Drug abuse, violence two sides of same coin: CM

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 26

Drug abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault go hand in hand. On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said police should sensitise society against the ills of drugs. The theme of the day was ‘Drug-Free Himachal’.

Stressing the need to meet the challenges posed by illicit drug trafficking in the country, he said drug abuse was universal and India was no exception to the problem. “Companies involved in the sale of drugs needed to be checked,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said promoting cultivation of other cash crops and construction of roads in interior areas of the state would help check the cultivation of cannabis.

He urged the judiciary to decide drug cases expeditiously and on priority. The Chief Minister also urged NGOs to create awareness and save the youth from falling prey to the menace.

He said the government was committed to rooting out drug menace. On the day, a half-marathon was organised. The Chief Minister distributed prizes among the winners of various categories. Those who participated in a mini-marathon were also felicitated. Virbhadra also inaugurated a blood donation camp to mark the 300th Martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur.

Drive in schools

Mandi: The district police today launched a special drive in schools to create awareness about harmful effects of drug abuse. “The police also visited slum areas to create awareness about drug menace among children and their parents. “We urged them to join hands with us to fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” said Assistant Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma.

Drug awareness camp

Kullu: Chief Judicial Magistrate and chairman, Kullu Sub-Divisional Legal Services Authority, Naresh Kumar Thakur presided over a drug awareness camp at Byasar village of the district on Sunday. He said that free legal services were available to Scheduled Castes, Schedule d Tribes, women, children, differently and specially abled and those having annual income of less than 1 lakh.